Mail-box.



P. AMABBQ.

MAIL BOX,

APPLICATION FILED AUG.8, 1912. lggyg Patented Apr. 21, 19M.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

P. AMADEO MAIL BOX.

n APPLICATION FILED AUG. 8, 1912. y 1,094,408. Patented A111121, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHBET 2. 6' .a Ig- 5- l 4 SHEETS-SEEBT 3.

lwowwbo'r,

Patented A131121, 1914.

P. AVIDEO.

MAIL BOX.

APPLICATION I'ILED AUG. 8, 1912.

@wm @WW P. AMADEQ. MAIL Box.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 8, 1912.

Patented Apr. 21, 1914.

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PAUL AMADEO, 0F SHENANDOAH, PENNSYLVANIA.

MAIL-BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 8, 1912. Serial No. 713,961.

, Patented Apr. 21, i914.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, PAUL AMADEO, a subject of the lKing of Italy, residing at Shenandoah, in the count-y of v Schuylkill and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail- Boxes, .of which the following is a specification.

My inventionrelates to improvements in mail boxes, and hasfor an object to provide a device of this-character, whereby when the mail mat-ter and money are inserted in the box and a lever operated, a mark or stamp is placed upon the mail matter.

A further object is to provide a mail box in which a mark or lstamp can be placed upon mail matt-ei' by depositing money in the mail box, thereby doing away withy the necessity of buying postage stamps as is now the case.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which has a series of compartments for different classes of mail matter and which is incapable of operation except when the proper coins have been placed in the proper receptacles for the same.

A further object is to provide a mail box which is simple in construction, having few operative parts, yet'is strong and durable in use.

lVith these and other objects' in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction, and combinations and arrangements of parts .as will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1, is a view in vertical section through my improved .mail box,y showing the parts in nor-4 mal position. Fig. v2, isa view in horizontal section onthe line 2--2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3, is a view invertical longitudinal section on the line 3-3 of Figf2. 'Fig et, is a fragmentary view in section similar to Fig. 1, but showing the parts in operative position to stamp a piece of mail matter. Fig. 5, is a bottom plan view of the stamp block. Fig. 6, is an end elevation thereof. Fig. 7, is a fragmentary view in vertical longitudinal.

section of the bottom of the box. Fig. 8, is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the bottom of the box on a reduced scale showing in dotted lines the sliding plate in extended position, and Fig. 9, is a brokenview in eleva-v tion of the locking lever secured to the end ofthe box.`

bin front ofthe stamp,

slide.'

l represents a casing, divided by'a partition 2 1nto a relatively small upper compart-v ment 3, and a relatively large lower compartment At the rear ofthe compartment 3,'avhous1ng 5 is located, and is provided with lugs 6.`

The lugs 6 are provided on either side with anges 7, and these lugs form guides for the mail matter, so it will he positioned directly while the flanges 7 prevent the mail from falling forward.

The housing 5 together with the rear wall of the casing 1, forms a chamber 8, and in this chamber 8, plates Sa are positioned and form guides for movable shelves 9. These shelves 9 orm supports for the mail matter until the latter is stamped, when it is allowed to drop through slot 10 in the shelves, as will be more fully hereinafter explained.

The partition 2 is cut away at several places as shown at 11 to provide guide ways for a series of sliding blocks 12. In my device I have shown three of these blocks for different coins, as one cent, two cents, and

tive cents, butL I would have it understood that I do not limit myself to the exact number of these blocks that may be used or the amount of money each one is designed to be operated by, as both of these matters may be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention. These blocks are alike inconstruction and operation, and hence a description of one will apply alike to all.

The partition 2 where it is cut away to form a' guide way is made on either side with a tongue 13, which project into slots 14 on either side of the block 12, and these slots are of slightly greater width than the tongues 13 for av reason which will hereinafter appear. l

Directly in front of the block 12 and adapted to move in a slot 15 in partition 2, is av plunger 16 having a slot 17 therein, in which a pin 18 on block 12 is adapted to This pin '18 prevents the plunger from becomingv entirely disconnected from ,no coin has been inserted, and at :the same time pin 18wi1l ride in slot 17. A coin slot 20 is located in the block 12 at right angles to the opening 19, and intersects the same, so that if a ,coi-nis placed in the slot, it will be in the path of the plunger, if the latter is moved inwardly and will lock the block to the plunger causing them to move together.

To prevent the block from moving inwardly with the plunger, because of friction, whenno coin has been placed in the slot, 1 provide spring held dogs 56, which will engage the block and prevent its inward movement, except whena coin is in slot 20. The forward end of the block which is in a slightly higher plane than the partition 2, comprises a stamp 21, and this stamp may be in the form of rubber letters, or any. other form, it being understood that I do not limit myself in this respect.

On the underside of the stamp 21 is a lug 22 adapted when the block is moved inwardly, to engage a lug 23 on the shelf 9, for a purpose which will hereinafter appear.

Ears 24 are formed on the casing and project beyond the front wall thereof, and form journals for a shaft 25, which supports a lever 2G. The upper end of this lever is always in contact with the outer end of plunger 16, and movesl the latter inwardly, while the lower end constitutes a hand grip.

A shutter 27 is slidably mounted on the lower face of block 12 and has a slot 28 normally out of register with the coin slot 20, and is held inthis position by a spring 29. At the forward end of theshutter is a tongue 30 which is adapted to strike the rear wall of the casing when the block is moved inwardly and cause the slot 28 to register i with the slot 20, thereby'releasing the coin.

`A coin guide 31 is located above the block 12 and forms a passage for the coin from an opening 32 in the top of the casing to the slot 20. The top of the casing also has an opening 33 therein, throughout its entire length, through which the mail matter is inserted, and this opening as well as the coin receiving opening- 32, is closed by a hinged lid 34.

A coin hopper 35 is secured to the end walls of the casing beneath all of the blocks 12. The hopper has an inclined bottom 36, so that when a coin is dropped therein from any of the blocks, it will roll down the in eline and fall through an opening 37 into a receptacle 38 secured directly 4below the same. Y f

A bottom 39 is pivoted to the front and rear walls of the casing by pins 40, and Iat one end has a spring pressed latch 41 adapted tofcatch over a spring held latch 42 pivoted by a pin 43 to the end wall of the casing. This latch 42 has an arm 44 projecting above a key receiving opening 45 in the casing, and a key (not shown) is adapted to strike the arm and move the latch 42 out of the path of latch 41, when the bottom can be moved on pivot pins 40 and the mail reqmoved. A cover 46 is secured over latch 41 to prevent the mail from being torn, and upwardly projecting lugs 47 are formed on the bottom and prevent the mail from falling out at the sides when the box is opened.

At the opposite end the bottom 39 is cut out as shown at 48 and also has a slot 49 therein, in which a plate-`50`is adapted to slide. Circular enlargements 51 are formed on'the bottom 39, and rods 52 integral with plate 50 project into the. enlargements, and bear against springs 53. As the bottom 39 at the latch end is tilted down the opposite end will move upwardly in an arc of a circle, leaving a space between the end of the bottom and the end wall' of the casingv through which mail lnatter might easily fall. For this reason 1 provide the plate 50. This plate will be forced outwardly by reason of the springs 53 and close the opening formed between the end of the bottom 39 and the end wall of the casing preventing any mail matter from falling out and by reason of the bottom being inclined the mail will slide toward the latch end and can be easily removed. y

The operation of the stamping action is as follows: After the lid has been raised the mail mattei' is inserted in the proper compartment between the lugs 6 or between a lug 6 and an end wall of the casing depending of course upon the class or the weight of the mail, and will rest on the shelf 9. The proper' coin or coins are then dropped in the proper opening 32 and will iall down the guide 31 into the slot 20 and rest on the shutter 27. The lever 26` is then operated and will move the plunger 1G inwardly. By vreason of the coin being in the path of the plunger, but of greater diameter than the same, the plunger and block 12 will be'locked and move inwardly together. When the block reaches its extreme inner position, tliestamp will leave its impression upon the mail matter and the lug 22, by reason of the grooves 14 being slight-ly larger than the tongues 13, allowed to ride over and engage behind lug 23 on shelf 9. At the Sametime tongues 30 on shutter 27 will strike the rear wall of the casing and cause the slot 28 to register with the slot 20. When the pressure of lever 26 is released, the coin will fall into the hopper 35 and a spring 54 will return the plunger to normal .posit-ion, carrying with it the block 12 by reason of the pin 18. The friction between lugs 22 and 23, will pull shelf 9 outward until the mail matter can drop through slot 10, but a spring-55 will then overcome the friction and return the shelf to normalposition.

Although the operation of all of the blocks 12 is identical, the central block in the accompanying drawings is shown as adapted to be operated by two'coins. Conwill rest upon the iirst coin and will obstruct the opening 19, so that the two coins must be inserted before this stamp can be operated, otherwise the operation is the same as the other stamps.

Various slight changes might be made in the general form and arrangement of. parts described without departing from m mvenl tion, and hence I do not limitl myse f to the precise details set forth, but consider myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a coin controlled mechanism, the combination With a movable member having a coin slot therethrough, of a plunger, a longitudinally movable shutter carried by the member located at the bottom of the member and having a coin slot normally. out of register with the coin slot in the member, a spring connecting said shutter with the lower face of the mcmber,normally holding the shutter with its slot out of register with the slot in the nzember, said shutter at one end projecting beyond `the end'of the movable member, and a Wall against Which the projecting end of the shutter is adapted to be moved when the plunger is coupled to the movable member by the coin and moves the lat-ter to its extreme position, whereby the slot in the shutter is moved into register with the slot in the member to permit the coin to drop, substantially as described.

2. In a coin controlled mechanism, the combination with a movablev member having a coin slot therethrough, of a plunger, a longitudinally movable shutter carried by the member located at the bottom of the member and having a coin slot normally out of register with the coin slot in the member, said shutter at one end project-ing beyond the end of the movable member, and a wall against which the projecting end of the shutter is adapted to be moved when the plunger is coupled to the movable support by the coin and moves the latter to its extreme position, whereby 'the slot in the shutter is moved into register with the slot in the member to permit the coin to drop, a spring normally holding the shutter in position to close the slot in the support, and a spring normally holding the plunger in one extreme position, substantially as de scribed.

3. In a coin controlled mechanism the combination with a movable member having a coin slot therethrough, of a plunger, a longitudinally movable shutter carried by the member located at the bottom of the member and having a coin slot norm ally out of register With the coin slot-in the member, a spring connecting said shutter with the lower face of the member, normally holding the shutter with its slot out of register With 'the slot inthe member, said shutter at one end projecting beyond the end of the movable member, and a Wall against which the projecting end of the shutter is adapted to be moved when the lunger is coupled 'to the movable member y the coin and moves the latter to its extreme position, whereby the slot in the shutter is moved into regis` ter with the slot in the member to permit the coin to drop, a spring holding the plunger in normal position and a lever pivoted between its ends and at one end engaging the plunger, whereby the movement of the lever moves the plunger against 'the action of the spring, substantially as described.

4, ln a coin controlled mechanism, the combination with a movable member having a coin slot therethrough, of a plunger, a longitudinally movable shutter carried by the member located at the bottom of the member and having a coin slot normally out of register with the coin slot in the member, said shutter at one end project-ing beyond the end of the movable member, and a Wall against which the projecting end of the shutter is adapted to be moved when the plunger is coupled to the support by the coin and moves the lat-ter to its extreme position, whereby the slot in the shutter is moved into register with the slot in the member to permit the coin to drop, a spring normally holding the shutter in position to close the slot in the support, a spring normally holding the plunger in one extreme position, and a lever pivoted between its ends and at one end engaging the plunger, whereby the movement of the lever moves the plunger against the action of the spring, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof l have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. i

PAUL AMADEO.

Witnesses:

Jenn H. lBoWMAN, CHAs. H., Wannes.. 

